Police seeking help identifying alleged assailant, partner

Police seeking help identifying alleged assailant, partner

Police are looking for these two people shown in this surveillance image from a Hilo shopping mall. Hawaii Police Department/Special to West Hawaii Today

Police seeking help identifying alleged assailant, partner

Police are looking for this alleged assailant shown in this surveillance image from a Hilo shopping mall. Hawaii Police Department/Special to West Hawaii Today

Big Island police are asking for the public’s help in identifying two individuals depicted in surveillance images in connection with an incident outside a department store in Hilo last week.

At 12:09 p.m. Friday, a female patron was observed concealing an item and then exiting a store in a shopping mall on Puainako Street without paying. After store employees confronted the woman and a male companion outside the store and attempted to escort them inside, the male threw one of the employees to the ground, causing injuries to his head and ribs. The pair then fled the area on foot in the direction of Makaala Street, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

Anyone with information about the identity or location of the individuals in the surveillance images should the police department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311. Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000